By EEW Magazine Online // Bible Study

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

You may be familiar with this verse because it is one of the more popular Scriptures in the Bible. But do you know what it means? Do you know what situations to apply it to?

EEW Magazine Online is giving you a brief but powerful interpretation of this gem of a verse to make you feel stronger and more equipped for battle than ever.

Who wrote it?

This beautiful and powerful psalm is written by the sons of Korah—the prophet Samuel arose from the line of Korah—who worked in the tabernacle, were expert warriors, and great musicians. Only 11 psalms in Scripture are attributed to them, but the words they penned are just as potent today.

Let’s examine the verse in three parts:

Be still. The Hebrew word rapa, translated “be still,” means to “cease, let drop, be weak, or slacken.” It does not mean to merely sit and meditate on God’s ways as some would have you believe—although taking out time to search God’s statutes is recommended elsewhere in His Word (Psalm 119:15, Joshua 1:8).

In context, this verse is about God’s people being in a war, so it means “stop fighting,” and some Bible translations have it written that way. Be still is a command to surrender the fight to God, for it is futile to try to win the battle in your own strength. This verse signifies that God desires to take over, so let Him have control.

Know that I am God. This means to consciously acknowledge something instead of just having that information sitting dormant in the corner of your mind. Actively remember and constantly remind yourself of who you serve: the Lord Almighty; The Great I Am; Jehovah Jireh; Abba, Father; the one, true, living God! When you realize that the greatest force—not in the universe but over and above it— is on your side, being still won’t be as much of a challenge.

You won’t fret when trouble comes your way, because your trust is not in the uncertainty of your own hands but in the hands of the One who certainly controls all things. You won’t exhaust all your resources trying to end the attacks by your lonesome, because you know that the fight is being taken on by God who is in you. So, be still, and know.

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. This portion of the verse shows that God is jealous for His name, meaning, His reputation matters, and He desires to be glorified and exalted. Therefore, He will get the glory through you if you’ll move out of the way and let Him fight the battle for you.

Trust in the Lord, because when it’s all over, His great deeds will be seen by all, and His name, just as He wants it, will be lifted high. All this is working together for your good (Romans 8:28) and for His glory. When God comes out on top, so will you. The Lord never loses a battle, so put your confidence in our conquering savior who always causes us to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Whatever battle you’re going through—be it mental, physical or spiritual—just be still. Acknowledge the God you serve. Rest in His might, and let Him fight the battle for you.